A man who died after he swam in the sea near Brighton's Palace Pier on Saturday morning has been named.

He was Thabo Gwemende, 22, of Talfourd Way, Redhill, Surrey.

Just after 7am on Saturday police and coastguards were called to Madeira Drive after reports that a man had gone swimming in the sea east of the pier and had disappeared.

Sea conditions were rough and a strong easterly current was flowing. A search was started and at 7.45am a man, since identified as Mr Gwemende, was seen in the sea approximately 1,000 metres east of the pier.

Coastguards managed to pull the man from the water and efforts were made to revive him, but he was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The coroner has been informed.